TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In a circular exhorting every Catholic and people of good will to fulfil their civic responsibility by exercising their vote during upcoming elections, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, made an appeal to the faithful to avoid taking the regular Monday train to Vailankanni on May 6, the day before the polls.
“It is known that there is a regular train from Goa to Vailankanni every Monday, leaving Margao Station at 9.35 a.m. I earnestly appeal to our Catholics to refrain from taking that train journey on Monday, May 6, 2024, and, instead, to book their trip for any other Monday,” states the circular.
“In case a booking has already been made, it is certainly worth losing some money by way of cancellation charges for the sake of the greater good and the sacred duty of exercising one’s franchise on Election Day and thus being positively responsible towards the greater good of the nation,” the Archbishop added.
“It is clear that Catholics moving out with family and friends on a holiday or even going on a pilgrimage on election day, thereby abstaining from the responsibility of participating in the voting process on the May 7, 2024, would be not only doing a disservice to the nation, but failing seriously in their important civic responsibility,” the Archbishop added further.
He also called on eligible Catholic voters to exercise their franchise on election day, casting their votes for candidates with secular credentials committed to working for the good of all people and upholding constitutional values.
In the circular titled ‘Vote You Must’ that was addressed to the clergy, the religious, the faithful in Goa, and the people of good will, the Archbishop highlighting the significance of citizens' active participation and responsible behaviour in nation-building, and emphasised the Church's obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society.
“It is a requirement of our faith; an all-important part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ,” he added.
“It is in this spirit that all eligible Catholic voters need to exercise their franchise, casting their vote for persons with secular credentials, who are truly committed to work for the good of all the people and to uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution,” the Archbishop continued.
He also requested Parish Priests, Chaplains and Superiors of religious houses in Goa to organise special prayer services on the May 3, (First Friday) and/or May 5, for the genuine success of the elections, as he observed that “the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections call for special organised prayers.”
Earlier, the Archbishop highlighted the universal recognition that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual, guided by a properly formed conscience.
“In this connection, I see it as my bounden duty, as the Head of the Church in Goa, to call the attention of our Church members to the fact that, in the Catholic Tradition, “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation” (The Joy of the Gospel, Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, November 2023, no. 220). This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do,” said the Archbishop.
Appealing to every eligible voter ‘to participate in the democratic process’, the Archbishop emphasised that casting the vote is not just a right but chiefly a duty towards the nation. He stressed that every vote is an irreplaceable personal contribution to the common good of the country.
Moreover, the Archbishop emphasizes the Church's duty to pray for the country, which is carried out every Sunday at Mass. He encourages entrusting the nation to Mother Mary's intercession, especially on the Feast of Assumption, a day commemorating India's Independence.
“Let us seek her assistance to remain faithful to her Son Jesus, as responsible citizens of our beloved nation,” the Archbishop concluded.
